Buffalo-to-Albany flights may return to NY after 7 years

Cross-state commuters, rejoice. Flights between Upstate New York's biggest city and its capital may soon resume after a seven year hiatus.

What we know: According to The Buffalo News, OneJet Airlines has been actively exploring restoring air service between Albany and Buffalo for months. A spokesperson confirmed that such flights are "under strong consideration," but nothing is final.

Sources told the News that the airline has been marketing and communicating the possibility to local businesses, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport has indicated that it is looking to fill the service gap.

More details: Sources would not tell the News when the flights would start, but did say the launch of the service was "very, very close." Flight cost remains unclear, but the Pittsburgh-based OneJet specializes in budget flights between small and medium airports.

What it would mean: For many business people and other commuters, the return of flights from Albany to Buffalo would mean an end to the long, cross-state drive or train trip between the two cities. Additionally, travelers who currently use air travel to get from one city to the other must stop in other cities like Washington, D.C.

Assemblyman Robin L. Schimminger, D-Kenmore, told the News flying allows him to stay productive on the long trip.

"If you're driving, you sit there with your hands behind the wheel of a car," he said. "You can't read, you can't do work. You're really limited in the multi-tasking that you can do."